10 Most Uncommon Types of Car Accidents

Car accidents are unfortunately very common and can cause serious injuries, damages, and even fatalities. California records some of the highest fatalities in the country, and in 2024, there were 5,059 reported motor vehicle deaths. However, not all auto accidents are the same. Some are more common than others, such as rear-end collisions, side-impact accidents, or single-vehicle accidents. But what about the less common types of car accidents? The ones that are rare, unusual, or even bizarre? 

If you were injured in any kind of serious car accident, DK Law can explain your legal options to you in a free consultation. Call our law firm at (866) 554-0743. 

The Most Uncommon Car Accidents

1. Animals

Of the over 6 million car accidents in the U.S., only 260,000 crashes involved animals. While the likelihood of an animal darting in front of your vehicle is rare, it can still happen. These accidents are more common in rural areas, but they can also happen in urban areas, especially at night. Wild animals are often considered the primary culprits, yet domesticated animals, such as dogs and cats, can also cause accidents. Below are some of the types of animals that may be involved in car crashes: 

• Deer
• Squirrels
• Dogs
• Birds
• Cats
• Turtles 
• Raccoons
• Rabbits
• Coyotes
• Skunks

Motorcyclists are at a greater risk of being involved in an animal collision, as they are more exposed to the natural environment than other vehicle drivers. A bird may fly into the rider’s vision, causing the motorcyclist to lose control or swerve. 

2. Natural disasters 

While weather-related accidents are fairly common, accidents caused by natural disasters are much more unusual. One example is a sinkhole, a large hole in the ground that forms when water dissolves surface rock. Heavy rainfall and manmade activities such as construction or mining can cause sinkholes. Sinkholes can be extremely dangerous because they can open suddenly and without warning. Floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, landslides, and blizzards are other types of natural disasters that can cause severe car accidents. 

3. Rollover accidents

Rollover accidents made up only 1.6% of all accidents in 2020, but they are among the most deadly types of accidents. When a driver loses control of their vehicle, either by speeding, taking a sharp turn, or being hit by another vehicle, they can flip or roll over onto their side or roof. Rollover accidents are more likely to happen with taller vehicles, such as SUVs, trucks, or vans with a higher center of gravity. They are also more likely to happen on rural roads with higher speed limits and less traffic. They are typically single-vehicle crashes, but can involve more vehicles.

4. Mechanical failures

Only about 2% of collisions are caused by mechanical failure. Mechanical failures can be due to poor maintenance, manufacturing defects, or wear and tear. They can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles and crash into other vehicles or objects. Some of the most common mechanical failures on an automobile include brake failure, tire blowout, steering wheel failure, engine failure, and transmission failure. 

5. Self-driving car accidents

Self-driving cars are still in their early stages of development, but they have already been involved in a number of accidents. NHTSA found that cars with driver assistance systems and partial self-driving features were responsible for 392 crashes between July 2021 and May 2022. These accidents have raised concerns about the safety of self-driving cars. 

6. Car fires

According to the National Fire Protection Association, there were an estimated 215,096 vehicle fires from 2018 to 2022. Car fires are rare but devastating types of car accidents that involve a vehicle catching fire due to fuel leaks, overheating, electrical problems, or a collision itself. Car fires can spread quickly and engulf the entire vehicle in flames, posing a serious threat to the occupants and bystanders. They can also cause explosions or release toxic fumes that harm the environment. 

7. Train-related accidents

A collision between a car and a train is extremely unusual, but it can be deadly for the driver and passengers. Most accidents are caused by drivers ignoring warning signals or barriers at railroad crossings and trying to beat the train or crossing when it is not safe to do so. However, train-vehicle accidents can also be caused by trains malfunctioning or derailing. 

8. Airbag accidents

The NHTSA estimates that airbags have saved over 50,000 lives over a 30-year period. Unfortunately, they can also cause accidents and injuries if they malfunction or are defective. Millions of Takata airbags have been recalled in recent years due to a safety defect that causes them to explode.

9. Road debris or falling objects

According to research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, road debris is a factor in nearly 10,000 car accident injuries each year in the U.S. Anything from rocks to tree limbs to construction debris can cause an accident between one or more vehicles. Motorcyclists are especially at risk because they are much less stable than passenger car vehicles. Additionally, accidents can happen if something like a construction tool flies off a vehicle and hits another car.

10. Head-on collisions

Head-on collisions are rare but extremely dangerous. A head-on collision, also known as a frontal crash, happens when two motor vehicles driving in opposite directions collide into each other. They are typically caused when one driver is on the wrong side of the road, due to drunk, drowsy, distracted, or reckless driving. They can also happen if the driver experiences a medical emergency, sees an animal in the road, or avoids something that causes them to swerve into the other lane. Head-on collisions cause the most serious injuries and fatalities.

Rear-End Accidents Are the Most Common

If you’re wondering what the most common type of car accident is, it is the rear-end collision. Rear-end accidents account for nearly one-third (33%) of all accidents in the U.S. 

The most common causes of rear-end collisions are distracted driving and tailgating. While the rear driver often causes the accident by driving too close to the vehicle in front, they’re not always at fault. If the vehicle in front suddenly stops in the middle of traffic or reverses unexpectedly, the driver may be held liable. 

Are You In Need of a Car Accident Lawyer?

Any car accident is an alarming event. When an accident is not your fault, you may feel frustrated and out of luck. Our experienced car accident attorneys can help you fight the at-fault driver and their insurance company for fair compensation. We offer a completely free, no-risk consultation to assess your case and provide you with options. Contact us 24/7 at (866) 554-0743 or fill out this quick form here.